Ian Donaldson

Ian Donaldson is a Scottish singer, songwriter, composer, record producer and writer.

For the white supremacist musician, see Ian Stuart Donaldson. For the Scottish amateur football, see Ian Donaldson (footballer).

Ian Donaldson
Born24 January
OriginGovan, Glasgow, Scotland[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • record producer
  • writer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1978–present
Labels
  • Spock
  • RCA
  • Legend
  • World@Love
Associated acts

Donaldson's music career spans more than 40 years. He came to prominence in the early 1980s as co-founder and lead singer of new wave band H2O, which released two UK Top 40 hits in 1983 with the singles "I Dream to Sleep" and "Just Outside of Heaven". After the band's break-up, he pursued a solo career and played in a band called FourGoodMen.

Donaldson released his debut novel, A Rainbow in the Basement, in 2016.

February 2018 saw the release of Donaldson's first solo CD, From Stars We Came (Toy Town Records). Two sold-out concerts in Glasgow celebrated his official return to the world of music.

He is also currently working on his second novel.

Early life

Donaldson grew up in Govan, Glasgow, and showed early interest in music. He studied Art & Design in Glasgow,[2] and by age 16 he was singing in the band 8 Miles Out.

Music career

Trying to stand out from other bands in the area, Donaldson formed the punk band Skroo with Alan McGee, where he also performed as lead singer. The band performed its first gig from the back of a lorry at the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Rally in Elder Park, and went on to be a local success, playing gigs at the Mars Bar in Glasgow. The band signed a record deal and played on the TV music show Top of the Pops.[1]

After Donaldson left Skroo, he founded H2O with Davie Wells (guitar), Colin Ferguson (bass), Ross Alcock (keyboards), Kenny Dorman (drums) and Colin Gavison (saxophone). In 1981, the band released its first single "Hollywood Dream". H2O signed with RCA in 1983, and made the Top 20 UK charts with their single "I Dream to Sleep". The band released their only album Faith in 1984.[3] H2O broke up in 1988 over creative differences, but reunited periodically for one-off gigs.

After H2O disbanded, Donaldson went on to pursue a solo career. He also played in a band called FourGoodMen with Big Country's guitarist Bruce Watson, former Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes and keyboardist Mick MacNeil. The group released an album in 2006 called Heart of Winter: 2006 Tour Sampler.[4]

In February 2018, Donaldson released his first solo CD, From Stars We Came. The CD got an official launch at Webster's theatre in Glasgow, which saw two nights of concerts with a full band.

Writing career

In September 2016, Donaldson released a debut novel titled A Rainbow in the Basement.[1]

Discography

With H2O
Year Album
1984 Faith

Solo

Albums

Year Album
2018 From Stars We Came

Singles

Year Title B-side
1987 "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" "USA Son"
2016 "Angel Pale" --
2017 "Ticker Tape Parade" --

Bibliography
  • A Rainbow in the Basement (I Dream Books, 2016) ISBN 0995614709

References
  1. Bone, Martin (1 July 2017). "Ian Donaldson singer, writer, producer, formerly of band H2O, takes time out for a chat". Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  2. "Ian Donaldson". Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  3. Sutton, Michael. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  4. "FourGoodMen, Heart Of Winter: 2006 Tour Sampler". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 July 2017.


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